Subway System May Be Down a While, B/Q Tracks in Ditmas Park Are Blocked

The subway system could remain closed for some time, according to the MTA and the Mayor.

“There is extensive flooding in all under river subway tunnels. That’s going to be a big problem,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a press conference this morning. “There’s no firm timeline for reactivation of bus or subway service.”

He estimated it would take 3-4 days to restore service, but that could be hopeful. Damage can be found system-wide, and in our area, the exposed subway tracks are blocked in several places by downed tree branches and in one case, at Waldorf Court off of East 17th Street, an entire tree feel from the street above.

We also spotted a branch, as one neighbor noted last night, on the tracks between Cortelyou and Newkirk. There was also one on the tracks near the platform at Beverley.

All the stations are closed, of course, and it was fairly eerie at Beverley, which has been left to the birds.

If you think the subway situation sounds bad, you’re right.

“Sandy wreaked havoc on the entire transportation system,” MTA Chairman Joseph J. Lhota said at a press conference this morning.

He explained that almost the entire subway system has no power, and that in addition to some subway tunnels, parts of the system in every borough experienced flooding.

“None of our buses or subway cars have damage, it’s all at the track level,” he said. “We’re assessing the extent of damage, which will take more time than we had thought.”

Limited bus service will begin today at 5pm, and the fares will be waived.

“When you start to fill the subway tunnels with salt water, that is a design flaw for our system,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “We have to start to think about how we redesign the system so this doesn’t happen again.”

If you notice any other trees down along the line, or if you spot crews cleaning them up, let us know in the comments, or at ditmasparkcorner@gmail.com.